Since I have been employed in the professional-protection industry as an edged-weapons and firearms instructor for more than 30 years, I am often asked about self-defense with a knife versus self-defense with a handgun. Turns out there are more similarities than differences—especially when it comes to deploying either with one hand. Most folks who carry a gun also carry a knife. Because there are certain places where you cannot carry a gun (such as government buildings, airports, posted businesses, etc.), an edged weapon is often your next-best defensive option. Like a gun, if you’re trained in the use of an edged weapon, it can be an effective life-saving tool.
The most-likely reasons you may be restricted to only one hand for defense is your other hand is needed elsewhere in exigent circumstances. Perhaps it’s opening a door, preventing you from falling or holding on to a loved one. Regardless of what it may be doing, you cannot always use both hands, because one hand may not be available.
Given that you may have already applied your situational awareness to avoid or mitigate an active threat and you were unable to extricate yourself from that nasty situation, your only remaining option may be to defend against a violent physical threat by employing a tool for self-defense. During the process of a weapon-hand-only deployment, your other hand is otherwise committed and therefore cannot be used in support. In this situation, what’s the most effective way to wield either a handgun or edged weapon in self-defense using only one hand? Read More…
